The Voice - Student Newspaper

Swine Flu continues to jump throughout the world

By Justin Shepard
Online Editor, The VOICE

The H1N1 Flu, also known as the Swine Influenza that is currently capturing the attention of the nation, has many people concerned.

On Apr. 29, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to phase 5. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website, "a phase 5 alert is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short."

The sudden outbreak of this flu has many people wondering if there is anything that can be done to lessen their chances of contracting the deadly disease.

The CDC has information on their website, www.cdc.gov, about the disease as well as many valuable pieces of information. The site also has up-to-date statistics regarding the number of people affected.

Among the sites list of measures that can be taken, here are several key steps that a person can take to decrease their chances of getting sick.

Most importantly, it is important to stay clean. This includes washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap and warm water regularly throughout the day. It's also a good idea to carry hand sanitizer to apply often after coming in contact with door handles, computers, etc.

It's also crucial to maintain a healthy diet. This includes consuming foods high in vitamins and minerals. Having a good diet is essential to maintaining good health and promoting a strong immune system. In addition, drinking plenty of fluids is important.

Getting plenty of sleep and staying physically active is also crucial in having strong body that is less likely to contract the disease. Experts believe that exercise is also a great way to alleviate stress. An immune system under stress is less likely to ward off harmful diseases.

Finally, be sure to avoid being around ill people. The flu is spread through coughing or sneezing people who have the disease. It is also possible to contract it by touching a contaminated object that a sick person may have come in contact with. It is best to avoid areas that see high amounts of traffic such as computers, playgrounds, etc.

For more information on the swine flu and its prevention, symptoms, and treatment, it is best to contact your physician.

A hotline has been set up for any questions the public may have regarding the flu.

The numbers are 602-263-8856 and 800-352-3792.

Please send comments to jshepard@gccvoice.com